FROM

Query

Specifies the table(s) from which to retrieve data in a SELECT statement.

Syntax

SELECT columns FROM table1 [JOIN table2 ON condition]

Example

SELECT u.name, o.total
FROM users u
JOIN orders o ON u.id = o.user_id;

About SQL FROM

The FROM keyword belongs to the Query category of SQL statements. Specifies the table(s) from which to retrieve data in a SELECT statement. Understanding this command is essential for any developer working with relational databases like PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, or SQL Server.

SQL (Structured Query Language) is the standard language for managing and querying relational databases. The FROM statement is supported across all major database systems, though specific syntax may vary slightly between PostgreSQL, MySQL, MariaDB, Oracle, SQL Server, and SQLite. Always consult your database's documentation for vendor-specific features and limitations.

Best practices for using FROM: always test queries on a development database before running them in production, use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection, and leverage EXPLAIN to understand query performance. For complex queries, consider using CTEs (Common Table Expressions) to improve readability and maintainability.

Related SQL Keywords

SELECT JOIN WHERE INNER JOIN